Effects of Ti-C:H coating and plasma nitriding treatment on tribological, electrochemical, and biocompatibility properties of AISI 316L.

Ti-C:H coatings were deposited on original, nitrided, and polished-nitrided AISI 316L stainless steel substrates using a closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. Sliding friction wear tests were performed in 0.89 wt.% NaCl solution under a load of 30 N against AISI 316L stainless steel, Si3N4, and Ti6Al4V balls, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the various specimens were investigated by means of corrosion tests performed in 0.89 wt.% NaCl solution at room temperature. Finally, the biocompatibility properties of the specimens were investigated by performing cell culturing experiments using purified mouse leukemic monocyte macrophage cells (Raw264.7). In general, the results showed that plasma nitriding followed by Ti-C:H coating deposition provides an effective means of improving the wear resistance, anti-corrosion properties, and biocompatibility performance of AISI 316L stainless steel.